ROME — Michael Phelps has advanced to the final of his first individual event at the world swimming championships. And it looks as if he’ll have tough competition in the 200-meter freestyle.

Germany’s Paul Biedermann, who already broke Ian Thorpe’s record in the 400 free, set a championship record with a time of 1 minute, 43.65 seconds in the semifinals Monday, not far off Phelps’ world mark of 1:42.96.
Phelps was the third-fastest qualifier at 1:45.23. At least he avoided the fate of American star Aaron Peirsol, who was stunningly eliminated in the semis of the 100 backstroke.